9/11 report is warning to Britain, say Tories

The report into the September 11 attacks should be a wake-up call to the British Government, the Conservatives said today. An investigation has revealed serious failings by the US intelligence services ahead of 9/11.

Patrick Mercer, the Conservative spokesman on homeland security, warned that Britain could face a similar atrocity unless lessons were learned. He said improvements were needed to tighten security against an "inevitable" terrorist attack.

"The parallels between what happened before 11 September and what's happening in this country are obvious," he said.

"I find it disturbing that we are going to have our own 11 September inquiry and the country will have been found to have failed horribly in preparing for such an attack."

Mr Mercer also repeated calls for Tony Blair to appoint a minister responsible for homeland security. Mr Blair has so far ruled this out, saying it should remain the responsibility of the Home Secretary.

President Bush has accepted "deep institutional failings" after the 9/11 report found serious flaws in America's ability to fight terrorism. Mr Bush praised the findings as "serious and comprehensive".